Tasmanian Dawn and Fascinating Stories

Going to the Tasmanian Craft Fair meant driving to Melbourne and catching the ferry to Devonport as I had to take my stall in my car.

I always enjoy meeting interesting people on the Spirit of Tasmania.

This trip I met four men from Adelaide on their annual motor cycle touring holiday on their Harley Davison’s. All in their late 40’s, these guys go off for two weeks each year to somewhere in Australia for a road trip.

It did occur to me that it also give’s their partners time for their girlfriends too and this could be quite a good thing for all involved.

They’d all met and become friends years ago – decades ago – and it was fascinating learning how their lives had gone in different paths and their friendship and love for Harleys that is a lasting common bond.

In my normal life I would never get to spend 3 – 4 hours talking with four men from Adelaide from all different walks of life. Their love for their partners and children was obvious, even if told in quite humourous ways, their politics differed, just as their work experiences did.

While I met them by offering to help take their group photo when leaving Melbourne, it was at dawn the next morning that I found myself eagerly taking photos of the stunning dawn light over northern Tasmania with my phone.

Dawn on the Spirit of Tasmania coming into Devonport on my way to the Tasmanian Craft Fair

Just stunning! I haven’t been able to figure out how to download my photos and videos from my phone to my computer so I’ve had to email them. Sadly the phone compresses the photos so they aren’t exactly what I’d hoped for but they’re still beautiful (to me at least!).

On my trip back I shared my cabin with a lovely lady from Ulverstone and we spent the evening talking women’s talk. I’m hoping it’s the start of a lasting friendship.

While it can be a little daunting travelling by yourself, I’ve learnt that it can be a fabulous way to meet people that you wouldn’t normally meet and discover fascinating stories and make new friendships. It’s a lovely gift to give to yourself.